Tonight's lineup: Reyes, ss Castillo, 2b Wright, 3b Beltran, cf Church, rf Delgado, 1b Pagan, lf Schneider, c Santana, lhp
Listening to Willie on WFAN today it really is ridiculous how he will bend over backwards to defend his "veteran" guys like Delgado, saying that he's going to come out of it etc while at the same time repeatedly slamming "younger players" like Ollie for only pitching 6 shutout innings instead of 9. You can see the same sort of thing in the pen, where he lets Billy Wagner dictate what situations it's acceptable to bring him in a game. As if the bullpen didn't have enough problems, Willie uses 3 of the other guys in the pen as "specialists" leaving only Sanchez, Heilman and Sosa as guys capable of pitching an entire inning. Which I believe has contributed to some of the problems of the latter 2 pitchers already this early in the season. I think the most telling thing about this team is that we're all waiting for a 42 year old who's constantly injured, had no spring training etc to come back and save the offense. Not a good situation.
Castillo's still batting second. Marvelous. I suppose that further accentuates the point above about veterans and young guys.
It was always the case that a disastrous season would at least have the positive effect of sending Willie on his way. It's hard to remember someone else who had a good record, yet who has provided so little added value to his team as a manager or coach. Even more disturbing, I don't see the slightest evidence that he's learned a thing from the mistakes he has made in the past three seasons, and that is just deadly for any manager.
I don't understand that. I mean, Deglado is terrible now and has 0 power. Why would you employ the shift in the first place? And why as a hitter would Delgado not at least try to hit the ball in the wide open space towards left field?
I can only assume that he is incapable of hitting to the opposite field - he just doesn't have the bat control. Meanwhile, the Mets now have to score 3 runs to win this game, which is a real problem.
Santana just ripped a double, has looked good at the plate all season, but Willie has him up there to bunt? Am I crazy, or was that stupid? I guess not as stupid as walking a guy trying to give you an out, a Mets' specialty.
Castillo looks so bad at the plate it almost defies belief. The way he slaps and flails at the ball he looks like a pitcher up there. And probably has less power then most.
